ROSTER OF LATIN MUSIC ARTISTS

Eddie Palmieri
9 time Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri is widely regarded as an explosive, unpredictable lion of the keyboard. His gift for broken meters and chromatic passages led critics to dub him "The Latin [Thelonius] Monk." Since the 1960s he has refreshed Latin dance music by introducing rock licks, urban poetry and elements of tango, cumbia, waltz and the folkloric music of his beloved Puerto Rico. Whether working with his jazz octet or a full Latin dance band, Eddie's music gets audiences on their feet. According to the New York Times: "Mr. Palmieri. . .can make a piano roar."

Pete Escovedo Orchestra
Timbalero Pete Escovedo played with Cal Tjader and formed his own Chicano-rock group, Azteca, before coming to prominence with Carlos Santana's band in the 1970s. Throughout a long career (and as patriarch of a talented musical family), Escovedo has focused on a vision of contemporary Latin jazz filtered through a pop-tinged prism. His eleven-member group produces a unique and powerful sound, a mixture of African, Brazilian, contemporary Latin, jazz, soul and pop styles. A true crowd-pleaser.

Tito Puente Jr. Orchestra
Tito Puente Jr. has begun leaving a mark as an artist of distinction. With one record album and three videos to his credit, plus a slew of concert tours under his belt, Tito has become a force to be reckoned with in Latin music. Determined to reach people of all generations, Tito's music is a fusion of POP Latin Jazz and Dance, laced with influences of Mambo, Cha Cha and Merengue. Tito calls it "Latin Dance a new explosion of authentic music created from the streets"...

Orquesta La Moderna Tradición
One of the few ensembles in the United States that is dedicated to the performance is classic Cuban dance music. Danzon, a legendary ballroom style that developed for the synchronization of African and European music in Cuba. This eleven piece group performs classics of the genre along with original compositions designed to keep the tradiction alive and the music swinging.